Why do they even try to come up with new ideas for romantic comedies? I seriously wonder if someone re-released Maid in Manhattan under the title The Housekeeper Who Wasn’t Creeped Out by Ralph Fiennes if anyone would notice.

Going the Distance is yet another rom-com that reunites America’s 2008 sweethearts, Drew Barrymore and Justin Long. It tells the story of a couple navigating through the trials of a long distance love. Barrymore moves to Chicago for a teaching gig, while Long is tied down as a script reader. The rest sounds better in trailer speak: But they quickly discover that going the distance might cost them everything they have, including each other.

The casting of the leads is curious as the two once had a very publicly affectionate relationship that also very publicly ended. Their appearance on Oprah (my girlfriend was watching and I happened to catch it in passing, okay?) was one of the more nauseating public displays of adoration in recent memory. It was also the moment in my decision to stop thinking Justin Long was cool, despite being spokesperson of the greatest company in the universe.

Are Drew and Justin just good friends now? Are they civil with each other? What if one of them brings a significant other to the set? I wonder if they’ll get back together! This is what the inside of Us Weekly readers’ heads look like. And Warner Bros. knows that. So whatever the reason, it’s going to result in cash.

Nanette Burnstien will direct, which gives pumps the film up a few notches on the intrigue meter. Her previous films, documentaries The Kid Stays in the Picture and Sundance Audience Award Winner American Teen, have made a pretty decent splash. It would be nice to see her documentary roots contribute a level of realism that romcoms tend to lack. Wishful thinking? Perhaps a star-driven cookie-cut film like this is a completely different animal than she’s used to, but I like to give indie success stories the benefit of the doubt before they turn into Bryan Singer.

Speaking of success stories, Going the Distance will be Geoff LaTulippe’s first produced script. LaTulippe worked as a script reader (hey, just like Justin Long’s character. Weird.) at New Line for four years before catching a break. Cheers to Mr. LaTulippe. Here’s hoping your soul is still intact in five years.

All signs point to Going the Distance being a solid bet for the studio. The topic is one that many can relate to and hasn’t been overdone. Add in the free tabloid publicity and a trailer that will no doubt feature a humorous situation involving Skype, and the ladies are sure to come out with the boys in tow. (Tom Macy/BOP)